Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)

It is based on the hypothesis that the market price for carbon will remain low, when at the same time the European Commission is doing everything it can to put that price up. The €270 million figure could be doubled.

After 2012 there will be a new environment where that will only be a first step. Further large fines are possible if this fundamental and crucial issue is to be addressed. The approach of this Government to climate change is fundamentally dishonest, although that is difficult to get across to the electorate because we are dealing with figures and complex issues of science. The bare reality of the dishonesty becomes clearer by the day.

There are other issues in the environment area again showing a lack of ambition or vision. When I read in the Sunday papers that there would be a green budget I thought to myself it would be interesting. I was slightly apprehensive of the Government parties taking some of our agenda. When I saw what came in I realised there is nothing new in it.

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